WBKO history

This did not collapse the tower completely, but it stood with a bow in it; the transmission line on the lower section of the tower was destroyed and the tower was unsafe. It was suspected that a local bootlegger at the time did not appreciate the news that had been spotlighting his operation through an investigative report that first aired in 1968.

WLTV was knocked off the air on September 26, 1969, due to an explosion destroying its transmitter.

Argus Broadcasting sold the station to Professional Telecasting Systems on July 24, 1970.

The new owner, Professional Telecasting, adopted the current call sign WBKO (an acronym for "Bowling Green Kentucky's Own") and instituted color telecasting for local in-studio programming and newscasts in January 1971.

The station remained in Bluegrass's hands until April 1983 when broadcaster A. Richard Benedek took over.

Under Benedek's management in 1985, WBKO built its present studios on Russellville Road.

While Bowling Green relied upon Nashville affiliates for network service, WLTV was the only commercial television station in the market until WQQB signed on in December 1989.

By October 7, 2001, an agreement between this station and the area's cable provider allowed WBKO to launch cable-exclusive WB affiliate, "WBWG", through The WB 100+ Station Group because the Bowling Green market had a rank of 183.